Analysis: Brian Hoyer likely done in Cleveland after Josh McCown signing
In the midst of a turbulent offseason, the Cleveland Browns potentially scored an important win when they landed Josh McCown as their 2015 starting quarterback Friday. McCown had visited several other teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and New York Jets.
The Browns are hoping they landed the version of McCown who went 3-2 with 13 touchdowns and one interception for the 2013 Bears after Jay Cutler got hurt. But they don't want the guy who went 1-10 as the starter for the 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he struggled while playing hurt behind a porous offensive line.
"I just want to serve our team and help everybody in that locker room, do my best to help everybody in the locker room be better at their job and they're going to help me, too. It's a two-way street," McCown said in a statement. "I'm just excited about coming in and being a part of a team.
"Year 1 was a solid first year for coach (Mike) Pettine, and to see the vision with what he's got going on is exciting to me. In my room, I want to be able to help those young guys and pass along my knowledge and experiences I've had and help them grow."
McCown, 35, knows in Cleveland he will be well protected by one of the league's best offensive lines and also helped by coach Pettine's intent to run the ball and play championship-caliber defense. Another enticing factor for McCown was his prior 2007 experience with John DeFlippo in Oakland where he served as Raiders quarterback coach. DeFlippo is now the offensive coordinator for the Browns.
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Let's face it, the Browns couldn't endure another Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel competition. That wasn't going to work this time after Hoyer faltered down the stretch and with Manziel's future uncertain after he checked himself into rehab.
As much as Pettine respected Hoyer, the Cleveland area native, for leading the Browns to a 7-4 record before getting benched in favor of Manziel, the coach saw the need to move on.
McCown agreed to a three-year deal with the Browns, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports. That person requested anonymity because the club has yet to announce terms of the contract. McCown also would have had a chance to start for Buffalo.
Now he starts fresh after that leaky line and circumstances conspired against him with the Buccaneers even though new coach Lovie Smith signed McCown to a two-year, $10-million deal to be his starter last year.
Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford never was able to fulfill his duties due to heart illness, and McCown suffered through a miserable, 1-10, 11-touchdown, 14-interception season before Tampa Bay fell to 2-14, landed the top overall pick and decided to release McCown and retain Mike Glennon.
Before signing with the Bears in 2013, McCown (now 17-32 as a starter) was coaching high school football in Charlotte while keeping his NFL dream alive, so he could be an ideal and willing veteran mentor to Manziel and fellow second-year signal caller Connor Shaw.
"Josh is a high-character, savvy, veteran quarterback that has a lot to offer to our team," Pettine said. "When you hear from people that have been around Josh, they speak of the leadership qualities and the positive impact he has on a locker room. I really enjoyed spending time with him during his visit. He has great passion for playing the quarterback position and wants to show that he can still be successful in this league.
"We are excited to have him become part of our team and we look forward to him playing an important role in our offense."
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Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett
